Music has always had a strong presence in Pedro Capó’s life. This presence is rightfully so because the 28-year-old Puerto-Rican singer/songwriter comes from a famous musical family. However, despite being the grandson of renowned melodist Bobby Capó and the son of salsa cultivator Bobby Capó, the young man was prohibited from playing music himself. After his father passed away when he was a teenager, Capó inherited his guitar and taught himself to play.
After performing with the Puerto-Rican rock group Marka Registrada for a while, Capó decided to pack his suitcase and move to New York City to pursue his dreams. He soon dabbled into acting, which he’d never tried before, and landed a starring role in The Apollo Theatre’s production of The Sweet Spot in 2003. From there, Capó landed roles in Shut Up And Do It and CELIA: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz. His latest role is a Dominican in the film Paraíso Travel, about a young Colombian who’s convinced by his girlfriend to enter the United States illegally. Paraiso Travel, directed by Simon Brand and co-starring John Leguizamo, opened in limited theatres in New York and Los Angeles this past July.
Recently, Capó has been very busy placing the final touches on the post-production of his new album, titled Capó. The album has two singles that are currently out on iTunes; “Vamos a Huir” and “Un Poquito Mas." NocheLatina recently had the chance to talk to Capó. He talks about his new album, what’s so special about New York City, and his music’s message.
nocheLatina: I understand you’re the third generation of singer/songwriters. What role did this family tradition play in your life?
Capó: Well I, mean, everything- I really feel like I owe so much to it. Every time my father was writing, he included me in his music. It was just something that came very naturally in my everyday life. It’s a huge factor that I hold with much pride. My father died when I was 14 and it was then that my interest in music awoke in me. I began teaching myself how to play the guitar.
nocheLatina: Did you ever feel any pressure from your family to pursue music?
Capó: Actually, it was the other way around. I never felt pressure because they prohibited for me to play music in the house. My father was a bohemian artist and we had to go through the struggles of that…and my mother kind of frowned upon that. They wanted me to go to college, become a lawyer…it was actually not expected for me to do music.
nocheLatina: How old were you when you taught yourself how to play the guitar?
Capó: I was 14. I kept asking for a guitar for my birthday and I kept getting denied. They would say, ‘You can have anything, but a musical instrument.’ When my father died, I inherited his guitar. I would lock myself in my room and teach myself…eventually I learned.
nocheLatina: Why did you move to New York City?
Capó: After being in Puerto Rico for a while-I was in a rock band in Puerto Rico- we played a couple festivals, but that didn’t work out. I always had a thing for NY- it was something about NY that I always wanted. The romanticism of that struggle of New Yorkers that eat and breathe art, and pay or not pay rent with their art. I love it over here, it’s amazing.
nocheLatina: Do you ever miss Puerto Rico?
Capó: I do, with all my heart. All of my immediate family is there. Hopefully, I’ll go back and spend some time over there. I want to go back with my music.
nocheLatina: I understand you’re currently working on your album, titled Capó. Can you tell me a little about the themes you will feature in the album?
Capó: We’re finishing the album right now. I think it is very real- it’s just a portrait of human life. There’s the beautiful side of life and the not-so-beautiful side of life- it talks about success, failure. It could be as serious as it could be silly. It’s very non-pretentious…something we can relate to each other.
nocheLatina: Do you have an estimated idea of when the album will be ready for release?
Capó: We’re going to give a sneak peek in the coming months- we expect for early next year. We already have two single on iTunes- ‘Un Poquito Mas’ and ‘Vamos a Huir.’
nocheLatina: As far as your music is concerned, I understand you like writing about different social aspects, love, and every-day life experiences. Is there anywhere else you draw your inspiration from?
Capó: I don’t really have a favorite subject. I think it’s a matter of where you stand in the day during the creative process. It’s what comes through you. I like to put my two cents in and talk about what I feel is right and wrong without being preachy. I don’t feel I’m in any position to tell others what they should do in their lives. I just put my opinions in there. I like to talk about the reality- the reality of this world. We all go through the motions. It’s alright to be human- it’s alright to feel certain things.
nocheLatina: I understand you like playing with different music genres. Do you have a favorite?
Capó: That’s one of the hardest questions for me. I love rock and I grew up with salsa, baracoa, and bolero. I also love jazz. I love music in any shape or form- I think music is an amazing language. Having the privilege of doing it, I think it’s a great form of expression. I think it’s therapeutic. Any shape or form of music is fun.
nocheLatina: What do you hope to accomplish through your music? Is there a particular message you bring?
Capó: I think the message is equality- we are all the same. We fall in love, we all feel the same, and we are made of flesh and bone. We are all victims of circumstances to a certain extent and sometimes we get to make decisions. We get to pick and choose. I just enjoy doing music. I’m really in my element when I’m with my guitar.
nocheLatina: You immersed yourself into acting with a starring role in The Apollo Theatre’s production of The Sweet Spot in NYC. How did you land that opportunity?
Capó: This was in 2003 and I had never gone to an audition before- never acted before. My agent at the time told me that it would be a good opportunity for me. I thought she was bananas, but I went and got the part. It was amazing…I learned so much. I got to work with amazing people…I got to learn a lot and grow a lot of love for the craft.
nocheLatina: You also starred in the off-Broadway musical production of CELIA: The Life and Music of Celia Cruz. What was that experience like?
Capó: That was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Celia and my father were very close and to be able to take part in the life of this amazing lady, step in and out of that era- it’s kind of an amazing opportunity- and working with such amazing people and traveling, and getting that instant gratification from a NY crowd, eight times a week.
nocheLatina: I understand you were in the film Paraíso Travel. What role did you play in the film?
Capó: I played the role of Giovanny, a Dominican young man who’s the best friend of the lead character- he teaches him the ropes. It was an amazing experience working with director Simon Brand and John Leguizamo. And it’s such a true story, the reality of the Latino immigrant…it’s hard….it involves a lot of work and perhaps a lot of discrimination.
nocheLatina: As a Puerto Rican, how did you adopt a Dominican accent for the role?
Capó: We have a lot of Dominican brothers in Puerto Rico and sometimes when we were younger, we would mess with each other and try to do each other’s accents. As a joke, it got to become something I would use later on in life. Once they told me the role was Dominican, I started hanging out in Washington Heights...I just hung out and got that little slang. In the beginning, I was insecure. I didn’t want to disrespect anybody and I wanted to give them the culture they deserved.
nocheLatina: What does your family think of your music and your acting career thus far?
Capó: They love it. They’re happy that I’m doing what makes me happy. I don’t think they’re so much trying to be critical…I think they’re just being a family- they’re happy and pushing me every time.
nocheLatina: If your father were alive today, what do you think he would think of your music?
Capó: My father was an amazing person. He taught me how to be a man, how to treat others, and how to be a lineal person. My father was my best friend and the most important and influential person in my life. I think he would be happy with it regardless. I think my father was a rocker at heart. He experimented with many genres as well, my grandfather too. I have some tapes that he recorded with a piano. They were innovative and very open.
nocheLatina: Which do you like more, acting or music?
Capó: Music, music, music. I mean, I’ve grown to love acting, but music is what moves me. It’s not only my vocation- it’s my psychiatrist, my psychologist, my pillow, and my blanket.
nocheLatina: Besides working on your album, do you have any other upcoming projects that we should know about?
Capó: Right now, I’m fully into the album. I also had a great opportunity to share the stage with Thalía. I did a duet with her for her upcoming live unplugged album, Primera Fila.
nocheLatina: What is your ultimate goal in life?
Capó: To be myself and to always know that I took every step in tune with who I am.
To learn more about Capó, click here.
